Many of the questions I get about the Common Ground Country Fair begin with, “How many.”

“How many people were at the Fair this year?” 59,067.

“How many vendors and exhibitors were there?” 726.

“How many people rode the train?” 2,670.

And so on. I suppose numbers can be clean and compact, easy to hold and store. Waypoints in a story.

Even from my vantage point, I get to take in but a sliver of all the Fair has to offer and of all that’s created by those involved. I say created because the Fair doesn’t so much happen but is renewed each year by the vision and industry of coordinators who volunteer their time and dedication, by exhibitors and vendors who bring their work and passion to share, and by volunteers who help in immeasurable ways.

One of my favorite images from this year’s Fair was the sight of kids playing chess in the new Farm & Homestead Kids Activity Area. In the midst of 20,000 people was a chessboard on a table, tucked quietly off the busy thoroughfare, seemingly under the watch of apple trees. Time and again throughout the weekend, a changing cast of young fairgoers sat there in quiet concentration.

The Fair can be a whirlwind of activity that leaves us spinning, but in its core is a touchstone that reminds and affirms. I like the way our Fair office assistant Renata Christen put it: “Having neighbors and friends and familiar faces to connect with is the whole point.”

“Neighbors.” “Friends.” “Familiar faces.” “Connect.” Words to celebrate and live by as we strive to create, in the words of Russell Libby, “a more local and more organic agriculture.”

Thank you to all the neighbors, friends and faces familiar and new who infused the 2012 Common Ground Country Fair with their vision and talents, aspirations and work, support and joy.

With gratitude,

– Jim Ahearne
Fair Director

P.S. – I pulled Renata’s quote from a short film created by Vashon Island filmmaker Andrew Plotsky who was at Common Ground with the Greenhorns. He produced a terrific piece on the Weed Dating event at the Fair. Here’s the link to the video: http://mofga.me/weeddatingatcommonground

Sales for the Fleece Tent at MOFGA’s 36th Common Ground Country Fair were once again very gratifying: Sales totaled just under $10,000, with 270 “units” sold, representing almost 1,000 pounds of Maine fiber. Friday was (as always) our busiest day, with sales topping $5,200.

This is great news for both the Fleece Tent committee and the record 54 growers who had fiber in the sale this year. It confirms that the Fleece Tent is truly a top destination for fiber lovers from Maine and beyond seeking the best of Maine fiber.

We had another fine fleece show on Saturday. Louise Hessert of Pleasant Valley Farm, Cumberland, judged all categories this year, fielding questions from observers and sharing her in-depth knowledge with all. Of the 36 show entries, the following received ribbons and premiums: Wool, First – Elaine Cloutier, Heidi Woolever Daly, Sue Faunce, Wanatha Garner, Joe Miller (2), Margot Simonds and Susan Wilson; Wool, Second – Edith Allard, Elaine Clark, Sue Faunce, Rebecca Jude, Nancy Webster and Susan Wilson. Given the number of entries in the “primitive/dual-coat” class, the judge elected to recognize Sue Faunce with a “best-in-class” award for her Icelandic fleece. Awards for specialty fibers were as follows: Angora, First – Beth Acker, Anna Barber, Jenny Smith; Second – Jenny Smith (2); Third – Jenny Smith; Llama, Second – Karen Klein; Mohair, First – Pogo Pogorelc (2); Pygora, First – Jenny Smith (2). Anna Barber also received the award for Best Specialty Fiber. Finally, our heartiest congratulations to Elaine Cloutier, Shepherd’s Purse, Abbott, for the Best-in-Show award for her beautiful colored Coopworth fleece. All show participants received their judging forms with scores and judge’s comments.

“Across the way,” the Wednesday Spinners tent had another busy, activity-filled weekend for all involved. The Maine Stoneworkers Guild’s “pocket parket,” home to the Wednesday Spinners dye-plant garden, was – in its third year – a great draw for fairgoers seeking a beautiful place to sit. Cynthia Thayer used fresh indigo harvested from the garden for her indigo-dyeing demonstration on Saturday. The Garden LoomTM , a gift from Susan Barrett Merrill and Richard Merrill of Weaving a Life in Brooksville, Maine, attracted many fairgoers throughout the weekend. The first weaving was presented to Russell Libby, MOFGA’s long-time executive director. We welcomed everyone’s creative additions to this year’s tapestries.

Add to these events a full schedule of well-attended talks, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and informal discussions at both the Fleece Tent and the Wednesday Spinners Tent, and we can happily say that the Wednesday Spinners celebrated our 35th consecutive year at the Fair in grand style.

The vendors in the Fiber Marketplace adjacent to the Fleece Tent reported brisk sales for the weekend. And as always, Dave Kennard and his border collies attracted large, enthusiastic crowds all three days of the Fair.

We encourage all Maine fiber growers to consider being a part of the fleece sale and show next year. To be added to our growers email group and/or to obtain information about the 2013 sale and show, please contact Penelope Olson at 785-2784 (Appleton) or mizoly@midcoast.com.

– Penelope Olson

This 'Phat Jack' pumpkin grown by Mary Yurlina of Hampden won a Judges' Award at the Common Ground Country Fair. English photo.